Tampa Bay acquired veteran linebacker Pete Barnes from the…
Tampa Bay acquired veteran linebacker Pete Barnes from the St. Louis Cardinals on August 6, 1976, initially sending defensive back John Fuller in return. Fuller failed his Cardinals physical and was returned to Tampa on August 20, with a 1977 draft choice substituted as the consideration. Barnes did not make Tampa Bay’s regular-season roster, while St. Louis retained future draft capital.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- pick 1977 draft choice (round and final selection not identified in verified sources)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- player Pete Barnes
Trade Analysis
This transaction began as a veteran-for-player swap and ended as a veteran-for-pick deal. Pro Sports Transactions records Tampa Bay acquiring Pete Barnes from the Cardinals on August 6, 1976 for John Fuller. Its August 20 ledger then records Fuller failing his physical, returning to the Buccaneers and being replaced in the trade by a 1977 draft choice. The available ledger does not identify the round or final selection attached to that replacement pick, so the record should not invent a specific draft slot or player outcome.
Barnes also failed to provide Tampa Bay with regular-season value. Pro Football Archives lists the August 6 trade, then shows Tampa releasing him on September 6 before the franchise’s first regular-season game. Barnes joined New England days later and went on to play 13 games with seven starts for the Patriots in 1976. New England’s historical media-guide material likewise places Barnes with the Patriots during that season after his brief Tampa stop. The important point for grading this trade is that his useful 1976 production came after he left the Buccaneers, not for the team that traded for him.
That gives St. Louis the better transaction outcome even though the exact identity of the replacement draft choice remains unresolved. The Cardinals moved a veteran they were willing to trade and ultimately received future draft capital. Tampa surrendered that capital after the original player return failed his physical, then released Barnes without receiving a regular-season snap from him. Because the value of the 1977 choice cannot be traced confidently from the currently verified sources, the Cardinals’ grade should remain modest rather than assuming the pick became a notable player. Still, future draft capital is a tangible retained asset, while Tampa’s side produced no regular-season contribution. On the evidence available, the Cardinals receive the edge, with medium confidence because the exact replacement selection is not identified.